Apple and Samsung devices accounted for two thirds of all smartphone sold in the United States in the September quarter, according to a new report from Kantar WorldPanel.
During the quarter, Samsung and Apple represented 66 percent of all smartphones sold in the United States, and 9 of the top 10 most-sold smartphones were owned by the two brands, the report said.
Between brands, Apple was more popular among gifts givers, with 39 percent of Apple smartphones reportedly purchased as gifts compared to 29 percent of Samsung devices. However, first time smartphone buyers – who accounted for 28 percent of purchases in the quarter, for a dip of eight percentage points year over year – trended toward Android devices (27 percent) over iOS (23 percent).
Apple and Samsung, which both released new devices this fall, may see their numbers boosted even further over the next several months by the nearly 50 percent of consumers who said they plan to upgrade their smartphone in the next 12 months. Among these consumers, 43 percent said they’d prefer an Apple device, while 34 percent said they would like a Samsung phone for their next purchase.
According to the report, consumer loyalty among both Apple and Samsung users is high, with 90 percent and 84 percent, respectively, saying they’d prefer a device from their brand as their next smartphone. Only 58 percent of Android owners overall said they’d prefer a Samsung for their next device.
“Considering how strongly consumers who are planning to upgrade over the next year feel about Apple and Samsung, two things are clear,” the report reads. “Consumers see Apple and Samsung in a league of their own and the current market duopoly is far from over.”
Filed Under: Devices
